Butler Councilwoman Lisa Guard Thursday night announced her resignation.

Guard, a Republican who has served two years on council, said at the council meeting that she will move to Erie in January.

Guard's husband, Tim Guard, has been working there for the past two years as a manager at Kane Sterling, a building product manufacturer.

“It is with a heavy heart I am giving my resignation,” Guard said. “I want to sincerely thank the people of Butler for allowing me to serve. It's been an absolute privilege and honor.”

Guard said she will remain on council until the end of the year.

Council then will pick a replacement to fill the remaining two years of Guard's four-year term within 30 days, according to city solicitor James Coulter.

Until Dec. 6, the city will take letters from people interested in serving. Interviews of candidates will begin after that, although council was not sure exactly when.

Discussion of the qualifications of the candidates must be public, according to Coulter.

Councilman Richard Schontz Jr. said the replacement for Guard likely will take over her role as head of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Guard took over that department from fellow Councilwoman Kathy Kline after Guard was elected.

Kline, who directed parks and recreation for six years before Guard, said Guard has done a great job running the department.

“I think she's done a super job,” Kline said. “I handed her the baton, and she took off and ran with it.”

Councilwoman Cheri Scott said Guard was great to work with since before she was even elected to council.

“We campaigned together a couple years ago,” she said. “She really thought outside the box, and I know the kids in the city loved her.”

Guard said one of the highlights of her time on council was working with the Paul Laurence Dunbar Community Center to organize a summer playground program.

“It was wonderful to serve over 600 kids through the playground program,” she said. “I was very happy to help that program.”

Mayor Maggie Stock said it will be hard for the city to replace Guard.

“It's sad to see her go because she's done a great job for the city,” Stock said.

Mayor-elect Tom Donaldson, who was at Thursday's meeting, said he was also sad to see her resign.

“I'm sorry I won't get the opportunity to work with her,” he said.

Bill Criley, an independent candidate for council who lost to Guard and Scott in 2011 and to Kline and Schontz on Nov. 5, was also at Thursday's meeting.

Criley said he will submit a letter to the city for another shot at council.

“I'll probably type my letter up tomorrow,” he said.

A council member earns $2,500 per year.

Guard said her husband was offered the job in Erie shortly after she was elected to council. She said she would not have run for council had she known beforehand about him getting the offer in Erie.

Guard said she will keep her recruitment business, Specialized Staffing, on Main Street.